The EXFO Service Assurance Approach: End-to-End Service Testing
Whether a worldwide, multiservice MPLS network, backbone transport for long-distance VoIP traffic, a streaming video distribution network between headends and metro hubs, or a managed IP telephony offering for enterprise customers, the Brix System is unique in its ability to collect performance statistics that truly reflect the end-to-end performance of any IP service.
Brix Verifiers create demarcation points and establish clear service boundaries. By installing verifiers in data centers, PoPs and peering points for backbone-based services, and directly at customer sites for enterprise services, network administrators can manageably segment their networks to more easily troubleshoot localized problems and identify root causes of service-performance issues.
The system achieves full, end-to-end visibility by measuring application traffic precisely from the same perspective as the service consumer—between the network of Brix Verifiers and between verifiers and network-based services, such as a video server, an IP phone or a proxy server.
Enables Proactive Service-Level Management
Proactive service-level management gives network operators the opportunity to reroute traffic or reapportion resources to avoid costly service-level violations. The BrixWorx software continuously audits collected performance data and automatically compares the results to customized service objective thresholds to warn network operators of at-risk SLAs before a failure occurs.
With the Brix System, flexible warning and failure thresholds can be set for individual services, specific customers, or both. Operators receive immediate e-mail, page or SNMP-trap notifications, or monitor the BrixWorx Operations Center to identify and track hot SLAs and services.
Full-Service Lifecycle Support
The Brix System is appropriate for deployment at all phases of the IP service lifecycle, including pre-deployment network assessment, rollout verification and tuning, continuous operational monitoring and troubleshooting, and real-time service-level assurance.
By combining a systematic program of scheduled active tests that precisely simulate customer transactions, with the focused application of passive monitoring of user-generated traffic, network operators easily gain the visibility they need to guarantee service quality, properly implement QoS, cost-effectively roll out new services, and—most importantly—keep their networks running smoothly and at peak performance.
OSS Integration
The Brix System integrates with back office operational support systems (OSS) to create a turnkey service-level verification environment. Flexible, standards-based interfaces support easy integration with existing provisioning, user authentication, trouble ticketing, data visualization, billing and SNMP-based fault monitoring systems.